Operations Management
6 Credits (ECTS)
Operations Management
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Module Description
This module offers participants a foundational understanding of core theoretical concepts, principles, and processes in operations management within the context of healthcare organizations.
Participants will engage in critical thinking and analysis to challenge, critique, and evaluate ideas and concepts pertinent to healthcare operations.
Through rigorous examination and synthesis of key principles, participants will develop the skills and competencies necessary to optimize operational efficiency, enhance service delivery, and improve patient outcomes within their healthcare organizations.
By applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, participants will gain practical insights and strategies to drive continuous improvement and innovation in healthcare operations.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- a Level 6 degree in a related field;
OR
- a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related to the healthcare industry and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the sector.
Target Audience
The programme is mainly targeted at:
- Nurses and Midwives;
- Nursing Managers;
- Ward Managers;
- Clinic /Department Managers;
- Physiotherapists;
- Social Workers;
- Doctors;
- Professionals allied to medicine, such as paramedics;
- Staff within the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries;
- General Managers without clinical qualifications.
Career Paths
The programme aims to prepare you for senior posts such as
- Chief Executive Officer
- Managing Director
- Head of Department of any healthcare entity such as a hospital, clinic or ward, amongst others
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Dissertation Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Critically analyse and compare studies of different operations systems design, planning and control systems, and quality management philosophies (e.g. conventional Western vs. Japanese systems and philosophies) in relation to healthcare systems.
- Identify a range of operations management initiatives and techniques that can be considered in the development of operations management strategy.
- Assess a variety of approaches to designing and organising the various components of operations.
- Evaluate techniques for measuring and improving performance, preventing failure and ensuring quality in relation to healthcare organisation’s operations.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Nature and Scope of Operations Management
- Design of Operation Systems and Service Designs
- Operations Strategy and techniques of strategic operations management
- Performance in Healthcare organizations
- Drivers and dimensions of competitive performance
- Capacity Management
- Quality Management
- Lean Management
- Operations Strategy
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Analyse the importance and benefits of operations management in Healthcare.
- Critically examine the operations model, layout and flow for workability and flaws in Healthcare organisations (focusing on own organisation)
- Assess the nature of planning and control in context of quality management theory.
- Appraise the appropriateness and applicability of a range of operations management systems/models in context of healthcare environments.
- Assess a range of philosophies for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of organisational operations in relation to quality management and Total Quality Management principles.
- Evaluate a selection of frameworks used in the design and delivery of operations in healthcare organisations.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.